Local honokiol application inhibits intimal thickening in rabbits following carotid artery balloon injury

Honokiol is a natural bioactive product with anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-angiogenic and neuroprotective properties. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of honokiol treatment on intimal thickening following vascular balloon injury. The current study determined that perivascular honokiol application reduced intimal thickening in rabbits 14 days after carotid artery injury, it may inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs) proliferation and reduce collagen deposition in local arteries. The findings of the presents study also suggested that honikiol may increase the mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), MMP-2 and MMP-9 and decrease tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA expression in the rabbit arteries. Additionally, perivascular honokiol application inhibited intimal thickening, possibly via inhibition of the phosphorylation of SMAD family member 2/3.